Pioneer Position Previews: Linebackers
As the 2026 football season approaches, the Warren County Way will be breaking down the Pioneer roster position-by-position. We’ll take a closer look at the quarterbacks, running backs/B-backs, wide receivers/tight ends, offensive line, secondary, defensive line, linebackers and special teams before Warren County kicks off the season at DeKalb County.
Brent Carden photo - Isaac Smith could be a big impact player for the Pioneers on the edge this season.
Linebackers
If the Pioneer defensive line is being asked to do the dirty work, Warren County's linebackers better be ready to reap the rewards. Coach Eric Belew believes they are.
The Pioneers enter 2026 with an experienced group of linebackers that has spent the offseason embracing defensive coordinator Josh Harris's emphasis on pursuit, communication and creating turnovers.
It all started on the inside with two seniors responsible for much more than simply finding the football and making tackles.
“Colton Gater and Colton Wood starting have done a really good job being vocal and getting our box players lined up,” said Belew about his starting senior middle linebackers.
Sophomore Cameron Redmore will also see significant action inside and gives the Pioneers a different type of weapon. Redmore has continued developing physically while possessing the speed to cover ground in a hurry.
“He is really coming along as a physical presence,” said Belew. “He also can cover a lot of ground really quickly.”
There is plenty of experience on the outside too.
Isaac Smith and Braxton Jordan lead the rotation, with Dylan Aguilar also expected to see time. Smith has impressed as an edge setter who can still operate effectively in space, while Jordan's combination of length and physicality allows him to play near the line of scrimmage or drop into coverage.
Aguilar provides another veteran option after gaining plenty of experience last season.
The versatility gives Harris plenty to work with, but what has impressed Belew most isn't necessarily where everybody lines up. It's how quickly they're getting to the football once it moves.
“I feel like this group has really bought into coach Harris's philosophy of pursuing to the ball and creating turnovers,” said Belew. “They have wreaked havoc in that area this offseason and cannot wait to see the fruits of their labor.”
That's a noticeable change from this point last year.
Pursuit was something Warren County was still trying to establish as an identity entering Belew's first season. Now the Pioneers have veterans leading the calls, young speed emerging behind them and a group Belew believes has fully bought into hunting the football.
3-2-1 Breakdown - Three Questions
Can Redmore force his way onto the field even more?
Calling somebody a backup doesn't mean much when the coaching staff already plans to give him significant snaps.
Redmore has the physicality to play inside and the speed to chase plays sideline-to-sideline. If his development continues, Harris may have a hard time taking him off the field.
That's a pretty good problem to have with two seniors already starting inside.
How much can Harris do with his outside backers?
Smith and Jordan don't have identical skill sets.
That's precisely what could make the combination useful.
Smith can set an edge without becoming a liability when he's asked to operate in space. Jordan gives Warren County length and physicality near the line while still having the ability to drop into coverage.
Add Aguilar to the rotation and Harris has options depending on what an opposing offense puts on the field.
Does the offseason havoc turn into Friday-night takeaways?
This is where Warren County needs all that pursuit to pay off.
Getting multiple hats to the football doesn't just prevent yards after contact. The second and third defenders arriving have opportunities to punch at the football, recover fumbles and turn routine tackles into possession-changing plays.
Belew has already seen it throughout the offseason.
Now it has to happen when the turnovers count.
Two Observations
Gater and Wood have to be the quarterbacks of the box
AJ Whitman isn't the only Pioneer responsible for getting everybody where they belong before the snap.
Gater and Wood have taken ownership of that responsibility on defense.
With Warren County playing an odd front and asking its defensive linemen to occupy blockers, a missed alignment behind them can undermine the entire design. The two seniors have to recognize what's coming, communicate it and make sure the box is ready before the ball moves.
Their value will be measured as much by everybody being in the right place as their own tackle totals.
The front and linebackers should complement each other
Warren County's defensive philosophy makes the relationship between these two groups especially important.
Holder, Holder and Curtis aren't being asked to chase statistics on every snap. Belew wants his defensive linemen holding the Heel Line, taking on double teams and creating “free fits” for the linebackers behind them.
Gater, Wood, Redmore and company need to make those sacrifices worthwhile.
If the front occupies blockers and the linebackers arrive quickly and physically, there shouldn't be many comfortable running lanes through the middle of the Pioneer defense.
One Simmons Says Prediction
Last year's prediction called for Raul Manus to lead Warren County in tackles and potentially make a run at 100. He flew past that mark, but now he’s gone and somebody else has to pick up the slack.
This year's group looks less dependent on one player piling up all the stops, so I’m going to say three Pioneer linebackers will finish with at least 50 tackles this season.
